CNFA-AMD Project

US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development

  

Scope of Work

 

Project Name	CNFA-AMD/ Project Number AID-391-C-15-00003
Consultancy Assignment	Development of Red Chili Value Chain
Consultant Title	STTA Chili Value Chain Consultant
Reports to	Director Value Chain
Place of Performance	Karachi (likely travel to AMD project areas in Sindh and Punjab)
LOE:	100 working days
Est. Period of Performance	July 10, 2018 to January 10, 2019

 

             I.            Background and purpose

 

The U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) activity in Pakistan is a USAID funded activity implemented by CNFA w it h the goal of supporting the development of Pakistan’s commercial agriculture, particularly through improving the ability of Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors to meet both international and domestic demand and requirements  in  targeted product lines in citrus, mango, highly  value/off  season  vegetables  and  livestock,  AMD  envisions transforming the four targeted product lines into efficient, private sector- led value chains that deliver competitive products to domestic and export markets. AMD’s targeted training, matching grants, and technical assistance will leverage private sector investment and encourage innovation. Together, these approaches will support upgrading, stream line supply chains, optimize profit margins, increase participation of women entrepreneurs, and ultimately make Pakistan in mango, citrus, meat and HV/OSV more profitable and more competitive.

The dried chili industry in Pakistan has previously been one of the major success stories for smallholders in semi-arid areas under low-tech irrigation. However, during the past 10 years, with the enforcement of food safety regulations in international markets has initiated the exports of Pakistani dried chilies due to the presence of aflatoxins caused by Aspergilus infection and the subsequent poisonous fungal metabolites generally called Aflatoxins. Clean drying over geotextile sheets raised above the ground provides part, but not all, of the solution. Production of chilies in Pakistan has dropped from 188k MTs in 2009-1 0 to less than 50k MTs in 20 11 — 12, mainly due to Aflatoxins infestation, impacting the entire value chain. To provide an alternative market and confront the issue of Aflatoxins in chilies and other horticulture products produced in Pakistan, AMD proposes to mobilize private sector investment in the commercial extraction of oleoresins from fresh products with a critical focus on chilies. An excellent solution to overcoming the issue of chili aflatoxins prevalent in Pakistan is opting for oleoresin production, which not only appreciably reduces the chances of aflatoxin infection but also standardizes the product, giving rise to opportunities for entering more lucrative international markets. The extract occupies lesser space and hence reduces the cost of transport. Commercial red pepper oleoresins are mainly listed as a spice and supplied in pungency ratings between 80,000 and 500,000 Scoville units (approximately 0.6-3.9 % capsaicin w/w) and a wide range of color.

In order to equip the Pakistani Chili industry and provide an alternate viable business solution, AMD is considering supporting the investors in establishing oleoresin extraction plant to stream line  the supply chain, optimize profit margins, increase participation of women entrepreneurs, and ultimately make Pakistan HIV OSV sector more profitable and more competitive. AMD plans to support the chili exports through private sector engagement by supporting the establishment of a model processing plant for oleoresin extraction, certified seed and nursery production through matching grants. The overarching objective is to spur private sector investment in best practices and new value addition technology, further them in the local and international high end markets to offset imports, create new exports, increase profit margins and provide an alternative market to the users. AMD will link the extraction plant, seed production and nursery with chili growers’ association and their members to ensure sustainable supply. Further, AMD ›s it1 provide trainings in exposure to contract farming alternatives and good agricultural practices.

 

      II.            Objective of the Technical Assistance

 

The main objective of the assignment is to provide USAD AMD project to equipment Pakistani Chili Industry and provide an alternate viable business solution. AMD is considering supporting the investors in establishing seed processing units and chilies nurseries. The consultant is proposed to support the technical team of AMD project by managing by managing and supervision of onsite vocational trainings on chilies in respect to better nursery production practices, better crop stand, seed processing and handling, food safety measures, value additions like chili drying and Oleoresin extraction etc.

 

    III.            Tasks

 

The STTAs tasks will include but not limited to:

 

1. To help, coordinate and support the farmers, processors and other stakeholders for developing strong linkages, leading to development of consistent and reliable supply chain.
2. To assist/support and organize the visits of international consultant for chilies and provide technical support in production, processing and marketing scenario of Pakistan
3. Provide support and assistance in the organization and implementation of AMD supported events and meetings related to the chili sector
4. Support the AMD team for arranging field events, their tasks assigned by COP, CTC or Director Value Chain related to designing, execution and implementation of interventions in the chili sector including production, processing and marketing.
5. To assist/support and coordinate with Training Service provider for the implementation of Chili Farmers training program in field.
6. To support and coordinate for the implementation of contractual farming of chili crop with processing companies.

  

   IV.            Deliverables

 

1. To develop a detailed work plan for execution of assignment in consultation with Director Value Chain.
2. Implement and report on strategies/ approaches to facilitate and support chili sector beneficiaries.
3. Assist the project team for design and specifications for the tools and equipment to be used in chili crop management and its value added products including Chili Oleoresin extraction.
4. Manage and organize field visits, meetings and trainings of international consultant in chili sector and provide technical support on production, processing and marketing conditions of Pakistan.
5. Coordination and facilitation for the implementation of chili farmers training program
6. Linking, facilitating execution and implementation for contractual farming of red chilies between chilli processors and chili farmers.
7. Develop a contact list of factories, processors and progressive growers to facilitate the small farmers of chilies clusters to link them with factories/ processors for the marketing/ sale of chili crop and its value added products.
8. Final report on covering all aspects and ToRs of STTA using the AMD template within the last week of assignment.

                i.      Record meeting minutes, pictures, and field visits reports as annexure of the final repot

               ii.      Report on all work assigned by the Director Value Chain in respect to improvements of chili sector.

  

     V.            Qualification

 

1. Pakistani National
2. Masters in Agriculture
3. Minimum five year experience of working in chili sector preferably in USAID’s funded projects or other international organization.
4. Experience in organizing training programs, writing up reports and coordination with chili stake holders.
5. Fluency in English , Urdu and preferably Sindhi
6. Strong computer, presentation and communication skills

  

   VI.            Preferred Personal Skills

 

1. Creativity and willingness to innovate, think systematically and design catalytic interventions
2. Team player with excellent organizational skills, demonstrable training design  and delivery, time management
3. Strong communication and inter personal skills